Holiday Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting* and Hanukkah Celebration will be on Sunday, December 14, 4:45 pm, at the Luzerne/Glen Ross island. Note: Rain date is Monday, December 15, 6:00 pm.

The celebration begins at sundown with the lighting of the menorah, a holiday singalong and tree lighting, visit from Santa Claus, and refreshments, including latkes (potato pancakes) and hot cider. Scroll down for the program and song sheet.

The first night of Hanukkah this year is December 14, so the first candle of the neighborhood menorah will be lit that evening and lighting the remaining candles will continue for eight nights. If you would like to help with setting up or cleaning up, preparing refreshments, posting street closure signs, or any other aspect of this event, please contact Melinda Frederick, program coordinator.

SSL service hours will be available to MCPS students who volunteer for this event.

The NWCA community will be notified via the listserv of any event updates. Donations to defray the costs will be gratefully received at the event or online.

Singers Wanted: Our Tree Singers group performs holiday music at the above event, and we’re always looking for new members. It is a cappella four-part harmony, so some choral experience and music reading skill is helpful. I can give you music in advance. We usually have two rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the event. If you are interested in joining us, please contact me. Thank you! – Julie Lees


* Recent historic newspaper research suggests that this year is the 99th anniversary of the first community holiday tree lighting in 1926. Wow, the tradition is much older than we realized!

Photos: 2024 Menorah & Tree Lighting

North Woodside’s 2024 Menorah and Tree Lighting. Scroll down to view more photos.

In spite of the ominous weather forecast,  the 76th (or perhaps longer) annual NWCA Menorah and Tree Lighting event went on as planned on Sunday, December 15, 2024. 

The rain abated and a good number of neighbors gathered to eat latkes and drink hot cider, hear beautiful choral holiday songs by the Tree Singers, and have a visit with and treats from Santa!

Also attending the event was Maryland State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and neighbors from the Lyttonsville and Rosemary Hills.

They say that many hands make for light work. That is true!

Many thanks to the many neighbors who contributed to the event in one or more of the following ways: led and participated in the Tree Singers, shared the story of Hanukkah, said the blessing and lit the menorah, made delicious latkes and cider, strung the lights on the tree, got PEPCO to turn on the electricity, helped with set up and clean up and serving food, took photos and more! Thanks also to Snider’s for donating the oranges. And to Santa ;).

If anyone who attended but didn’t have money to donate, you can make a donation via the NWCA website here. (Choose “Holiday Fund” from the drop down menu.)

Happy holidays!

2024 Holiday Tree Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration

The 76th* annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration will be on Sunday, December 15, 4:30 pm, at the Luzerne/Glen Ross island. Note: Rain date is Monday, December 16, 7:00 pm.

The celebration begins with a symbolic menorah lighting, a singalong, a Santa Claus appearance and refreshments, including latkes (potato pancakes) and hot cider. View the program.

The first night of Hanukkah this year is December 25, so the first candle of the neighborhood menorah will be lit that evening and the lighting of the menorah will continue for the rest of the traditional eight nights.

If you would like to help with setting up or cleaning up, preparing refreshments, posting street closure signs, or any other aspect of this event, please contact Melinda Frederick, NWCA programs coordinator..

If you would like to join the Tree Singers, contact Julie Lees. The singers sing in four-part harmony, so some choral experience and/or music reading skills are helpful.

The NWCA community will be notified via the listserv of any event updates.

Donations to defray the costs will be gratefully received at the event or online.

* Recent historic newspaper research suggests that this year may in fact by the 98th year of the tradition.